Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM August 2017 | Page 19

5 Lets Talk About Leadership Privileges that Leaders No Longer Get I believe Leaders influence- all the time. Leaders will influence positive or negative in almost any interaction. Leaders should serve those around them and they should serve with passion and a positive mindset. By: Bonnie Benkula, BSHCA, MBA Certified Coach, Speaker, Trainer The John Maxwell TEAM The Leaven Exchange [email protected] But as leaders rise up, ego can get in the way and the privileges one once had are no longer in play. Here are five privileges that leaders no longer get and what to look for in a real leader, the one with or without the title. 1. Leaders no longer have the privilege to say, “See, I told you so”when things go wrong. Even when one is right they cannot say “I told you so.” When a leader says“I told you so” it diminishes the teams confidence. Leaders need to model good behavior.. There is no privilege to the leader to take the credit when the team is off track, it is the leaders job to get the team back on track. A leader gets to gain the confidence to stay silent and let the lesson from the experience speak for itself. 2. Leaders no longer get the privilege to exclude those who disagree with them. Sure this is the easy way out and weak leaders in your life may do this. However, strong leaders will include diverse suggestions, listen to varying approaches and engage bold ideas. Exceptional leaders let others lead when they are right and put the success of the project ahead of their ego. A leader gets include all, including those who disagree with them and take this opportunity to take their team’s level of excellence to a higher level. 3. Leaders lose their privilege to make excuses for their lack of principle or bad behavior. Sure leaders will slip from time to time and no one is perfect. Leaders must stay vulnerable and get back on track to modeling better behavior. A leader gets to sincerely apologize. 4. Leaders lose the privilege to share all their fears and worries. You don't get to be overwhelmed by the pressures that are faced. High level leaders know they must focus on the relentless path to their vision. You no longer get to share all your truth and everything you think. Sure you need to be authentic but you must be selective or your influence could turn negative. You want to always be building the vision for a better future. A leader gets to manage their attitude, communicate confidence and give their team a reason to stay enthusiastic and optimistic. 5. Leaders no longer get to make everything including the vision and shared goals, about them. Leaders must serve their team and give out credit where credit is due. Leaders must control their ego and create a unified tone for their whole team. A leader gets to set the tone for the culture and build a sense of confidence in the strengths of the team work and value in the teamwork.